JP6659795B2 - Drive unit for power tools - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power tool for generating a pretension of a screw, comprising a pump unit, a valve unit having a pressure valve for limiting pressure and arranged in the pump unit, and a control unit for starting the pump unit. Related to a drive unit.

  Powered tools for generating screw pretension, such as drive units of the first mentioned type for driving hydraulically operated impact wrenches or drawing cylinders, are well known in the state of the art. Such other power tools include pneumatic, electric, and hydraulic tools. For example, a patent document discloses an automatic forming device that automatically forms individual screw fastening portions by using an impact wrench driven by a drive unit (for example, see Patent Document 1). In that regard, the evaluation unit indicates when the required tightening torque is to be generated for the screw fastener to be formed by the impact wrench, thereby reducing the risk of forming an incomplete screw fastener.

  The actual screwing process consists of several work steps, in which the piston cylinder unit driving the impact wrench performs both a load stroke and a return stroke. Thereby, the piston cylinder unit in the known impact wrench serves, for example, to drive a ratchet wheel rotated by the piston cylinder unit. The resulting volume flow guarantees the operation of the piston cylinder unit for the purpose of forming a threaded connection and the pressure which produces the force transmitted to the ratchet wheel.

  Therefore, when the screw fastening portion is formed by the impact wrench, the torque and pretension used to form the screw fastening portion are determined according to the pressure set in the pressure control valve of the drive unit. Thereby, the screwing step aimed at forming the screw fastening portion increases the pressure until the set pressure set in the pressure regulating valve is reached and the screw to be tightened does not rotate at the torque pressure. Performed with load stroke. The fact that the screw does not rotate means that the screw has already been tightened or re-tightened and / or has been fixed.

  Particularly in the case of using an impact wrench, there are known aspects of the drive unit that relieve the operator from the responsibility of determining whether the screwing process has been performed properly. However, the operator is still required to first set the setting parameters according to a predetermined aspect so that the target parameters to be achieved can be achieved. In that regard, the setting parameters, in particular the pressure to be set, are based on, for example, a plurality of screw fastening process parameters originating from the operator, the screw fastener and the tool. Known sources of error that result in imperfect screw connections include, for example, incorrect selection of tools, incorrect use of calculation tables, and basic calculation errors in determining set parameters. Erroneously assigning a screwing parameter to a screw fastening portion, and erroneously setting a setting parameter.

DE 10 2004 058 338 A1

  Based on this, it is an object of the invention to provide a drive unit which eliminates the risk of setting parameters being set incorrectly.

  The invention achieves the object through a drive unit having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

  A feature of the drive unit according to the invention is that it has a data collection unit connected to or integrated with the processing unit or a processing unit with an output unit, which is connected to and integrated with the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to output a numerical value to be set to the pressure valve based on a process parameter determined using the data collection unit. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the data collection unit of the drive unit which concerns on this invention, it becomes possible to collect | require a screw fastening process parameter automatically, without requiring an input from an operator. The screw fastening process parameters include, for example, data about the operator, data about the tool to be used, e.g., an impact wrench or drawing cylinder to be used, data about the screw fastener to be formed, Information about the fastening means and data about the structural elements to be screwed together are included.

  By saving the corresponding process parameters in a format that can be automatically imported by the data acquisition unit, all process parameters required to determine the set parameters are not saved or all process parameters are imported. In the case where the process parameters have not yet been directly generated from the processed data, all the process parameters can be collected without error. The processing unit determines the setting parameters based on all the process parameters. At least one of identifying, entering, and using erroneous configuration parameters that may result from erroneous input values by an operator is prevented by automated data collection. Since the configuration parameters determined by the processing unit are specified without error via the output unit of the processing unit, it is only necessary to transmit the specified configuration parameters. The operating process can then be started via activation of the control unit of the pump unit and can be ended again after the target value has been achieved. For example, an automatic system integrated into the processing unit and independently starting the operating steps and ending after achieving the target value may be used for performing the operating steps.

  In general, the process of balancing the parameters of a particular process that has been automatically collected to be performed by the processing unit may be performed in any manner. For example, data necessary for determining a setting parameter is stored in the processing unit in advance. However, according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the processing unit is formed to be connected to the storage unit. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the information necessary to determine the required configuration parameters can be selectively provided to the processing unit via the storage unit. In the case of this embodiment of the invention, it is possible to omit saving the relevant data required for determining the setting parameters in the processing unit, so that a particularly cost-effective processing unit can be formed.

  Also, by connecting to the storage unit, the latest data can be accessed in a simple manner, so that the updating of the processing unit which can be potentially complicated can be omitted.

  Choosing to connect to the storage unit also allows the storage unit to store process-specific information, for example, data about the executed operation steps. In this case, manual documentation of the executed operation steps, which may be incomplete and require a lot of time and money, can be omitted. In that regard, the connection connecting the processing unit to the storage unit can be formed in any manner. For example, a storage unit can be connected to the processing unit in a simple manner by a standardized connection unit arranged in the processing unit, for example, a USB connection unit.

  However, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the processing unit is formed to be wirelessly connected to the storage unit. In particular, the processing unit can be connected to the storage unit particularly simply and comfortably by means of a wireless connection which can be established via a standardized wireless protocol. They can be equipped with, for example, a GSM module or a Bluetooth module. Also, according to this embodiment of the invention, if the drive unit is designed accordingly, a central storage unit, for example a central database, can also be accessed, thus eliminating the need for a local storage unit. The use of a central database facilitates data management in a special manner, since only one database needs to be updated. In addition, a wireless connection to the central storage unit allows information about performed screwing operations to be stored in one place, allowing authorized personnel to query information from a central database, as well as track product shipments. Will be able to do it.

  In order to determine the setting parameters, the screw fastening process parameters need to be stored in a recognizable manner by the data collection unit at an appropriate location, for example, a tool or a screw fastening part. The screw fastening process parameters may include, for example, the identity of the operator, information on the tool, data on the instance of the screw fastening portion, and data on the device for screw fastening. The tool information includes, for example, information on the manufacturer, type, size, serial number, and characteristics. The data on the actual example of the screw fastening portion may be the type, the use, the description of the screw fastening method, and the screw fastening parameters (for example, torque, rotation angle, pretension). The data on the screw fastening device includes, for example, a manufacturer, a thread, a dimension, a yield point, and the like. Note that the screw tightening process parameters may include at least one of other related properties, data, and information. The screw fastening process parameters are stored in individual elements in a manner recognizable by the data collection unit. In that regard, the data storage format in a manner recognizable by the data collection unit is generally freely selectable. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the data collection unit comprises at least one of a portable code reading unit, an RFID receiver, and a writing unit, for example, since a bar code or an RFID unit has been specifically proven as a machine readable code. Designed as one.

  Such a data collection unit features a highly reliable and cost-effective design. Where possible, the respective information is stored in a format corresponding to the data collection unit so that the respective information can be collected immediately. That is, according to this advantageous embodiment, the respective information is stored as a machine-readable code or stored in an RFID unit.

  In that regard, the use of RFID units is characterized in particular that the collection in a wireless manner can take place over longer distances. The use of an RFID unit also allows supplementary data to be stored on the RFID unit after the operation steps are completed. In that regard, the machine readable code is particularly recognized as a bar code or the like, and the reading device has a corresponding scanner. The barcodes can be arranged, for example, on a sticker attached to at least one of the tool and the screw fastener.

  In general, the data collection unit may be connected to the processing unit in any manner. However, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the data collection unit is configured to be wirelessly connected to the processing unit. For example, according to the corresponding design of the present invention in which the connection is formed through standardized wireless communication processing, the data collection via the data collection unit is not restricted due to the cabled connection. Because there is no, the usability is supplementarily improved.

  For example, a pressure valve that determines the pressure to be applied by the pump unit in order to establish a pre-tension by the stretching cylinder can generally be formed in any manner. However, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure valve is formed as a pressure setting valve which limits the torque pressure. In the case of forming a screw fastening portion using an impact wrench, according to this design of the present invention, the torque required for the screw fastening portion can be set in a particularly simple manner. In that regard, the pressure setting valve may be set in any manner to be a numerical value specified in the output unit, and may be most easily set manually. The screwing process can then be performed via activation of the control unit of the pump unit.

  In addition to merely outputting the set parameters optically via the output unit, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the output unit controls or regulates or controls at least one of a pressure valve and a pressure set valve. Formed and adjusted. According to this embodiment of the invention, the setting parameters determined by the processing unit are, after the determination of the process parameters via the data collection unit, a pressure valve or a respective pressure setting valve, for example an electrically controllable pressure setting valve. Automatically transmitted. This embodiment of the invention additionally guarantees that operator-induced misadjustments and consequent imperfect screw connections do not occur. Also, in a particularly advantageous manner, the output unit is configured to check and make corrections to the set parameters. This ensures that the necessary screw fastenings are formed without error, in particular with high reliability.

  In general, the documentation of the executed operation steps may be performed in any manner, for example by storing the information in a storage unit as described above. However, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the output unit comprises a printing device, according to which the operator can immediately use a printed form report of the formed screw fasteners. it can. Alternatively or additionally, according to a further development of the invention, the processing unit may be formed to document the formed screw fasteners. If it is necessary to obtain information about the formed screw fasteners, the processing unit can be accessed at a later point in time and the data stored therein can be recalled.

  According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the processing unit has a collecting unit for collecting time or position, or both. That data when the collection unit collecting the position can be formed, for example, by a GPS receiver, may be stored as information about the performed steps. Thereby, the quality of the created callable document may be supplementarily improved.

It is the schematic which shows the drive unit in which the impact wrench was attached.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the drive unit 1. The drive unit 1 has a pump unit 2 and a valve unit 3 connected to the pump unit 2. The valve unit 3 is formed to connect the two hydraulic lines 11. One of the two hydraulic lines 11 is connected to the load stroke side of the impact wrench 7 and the other is connected to the return stroke side. The valve unit 3 has a pressure setting valve 4 for the purpose of setting a necessary torque for the screw fastening portion. After the screw fastening process parameters (9) are collected by the portable barcode scanner 6 from the operator, the tool (7), the actual or applied example of the screw fastening part (12), and the screw fastening equipment (13), The screw fastening process parameter (9) is wirelessly transmitted to the processing unit 5. After accessing the data stored in the storage unit 10, the processing unit 5 displays the compression torque to be set via the display of the control unit 8. After the indicated compression torque has been set on the pressure setting valve 4 by the operator, the screwing process can be started and stopped via the control unit 8. It should be noted that the compression torque or the pre-tension of the screw is the force required to tighten or loosen the screw fastener, or both.

  In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the determined setting parameters can be set directly on the pressure setting valve 4 via a transfer from the processing unit 5 to the pressure setting valve 4. After the setting in the pressure setting valve, which is preferably electrically controllable, the screw fastening can be started automatically or can be started by the operator via the starting unit 8. After completion of the screwing process, specific data about the screw fastening part can be stored in the storage unit 10 by the processing unit 5. The data can be recalled for later use.

  In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the control unit 8 may have a sensing unit to determine when the tool 7 is available for tightening or loosening the screw fasteners or both. . Thereby, the valve unit 3 can be activated via the control unit 8. The sensing unit serves as a safety mechanism to help prevent the operator from suffering injury. Additionally, the control unit 8 and the data collection device 6 can be integrated into one unit. Thereby, the valve unit 3 can be activated by the integrated unit.

  As used in the foregoing specification and / or the following claims, the terms "comprise", "include", and variations thereof, refer to the recited feature, It means that the process or the whole is included. The terms should not be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps, or components. Although some special meanings different from plain language meanings may be given to terms or phrases in the specification and claims, the description of the specification may define the terms in an unreasonably narrow sense. Should not be used to

  The invention is disclosed in at least one of the foregoing specification, claims, and accompanying drawings, and a means for performing the disclosed function, or a disclosed result, as appropriate. Features expressed in terms of the method or steps to be accomplished, individually or in any combination of such features, can be used to implement various aspects of the present invention. The foregoing is merely a description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and various changes, combinations, modifications, and variations may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that variations can be realized.

Claims (16)

A pump unit (2);
A valve unit (3) comprising a pressure valve (4) for limiting pressure and arranged in said pump unit (2);
A control unit (8) for activating said pump unit (2), comprising:
The drive unit includes:
A processing unit (5) having an output unit;
A data collection unit (6) connected to or integrated with the processing unit (5), or connected to and integrated with the processing unit (5);
The processing unit (5) determines a numerical value to be set to the pressure valve (4) based on a parameter (9) of a screw fastening process stored in the data collection unit (6), and determines the determined value. Formed to display numerical values through a display,
The output unit is configured to control or regulate or control and regulate the pressure valve (4) based on the numerical value determined by the processing unit (5);
The control unit has a sensing unit that determines whether the tool can be used to tighten and / or relax a screw fastener, and thereby determine the pressure of the valve unit (3). A drive unit characterized in that the valve (4) can be activated.   The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit (5) is formed to be connected to a storage unit (10).   The drive unit according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit (5) is formed to be wirelessly connected to the storage unit (10).   The data collection unit (6) is formed as at least one of a portable code reading device (6), an RFID receiver, and a writing unit that is written to store parameters (9) of a screw fastening process. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive unit is used.   The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data collection unit (6) is formed to be wirelessly connected to the processing unit (5).   The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressure valve is formed as a pressure setting valve for limiting a torque pressure corresponding to the pressure.   The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output unit includes a printing device. 8. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to document that the screw fastener has been fastened . 9.   The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit has a collecting unit for collecting at least one of time and position.   The pressure valve (4) of the valve unit (3) is activatable by the control unit (8) and the data collection unit (6) integrated into one unit. The drive unit according to any one of the above.   The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pretension of the screw is a force required to perform at least one of tightening and relaxing of the screw fastening portion.   The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the parameters of the screw fastening process are determined by being stored by an operator. A method for automatically determining a pretension of a screw in a screw fastening process,
Using the data collection unit (6), (i) the identity of the operator, (ii) information on the tool, (iii) data on the actual example of the screw fastening portion, and (iv) data on the device of the screw fastening. Collecting the parameters (9) of the separate screw fastening process saved by the operator, including at least :
Transmitting the parameter (9) to a processing unit (5) of a drive unit (1) for driving a power tool for generating a pretension of a screw ;
Processing the parameter (9) together with the data stored in the storage unit (10) to determine the pretension of the screw;
A determination method comprising setting the determined pretension of the screw to a pressure valve (4) of the drive unit (1).   The method according to claim 13, wherein the pretension of the screw is a force required to perform at least one of tightening and relaxing of the screw fastening portion. A method of automatically performing at least one of tightening and relaxing of a screw fastening portion,
Using the data collection unit (6) , (i) the identity of the operator, (ii) information on the tool, (iii) data on the actual example of the screw fastening portion, and (iv) data on the device of the screw fastening. Collecting the parameters (9) of the separate screw fastening process saved by the operator, including at least :
Transmitting the parameter (9) to a processing unit (5) of a drive unit (1) for driving a power tool for generating a pretension of a screw ;
Processing the parameter (9) together with the data stored in the storage unit (10) to determine the pretension of the screw;
As the pressure of the pressure valve of the drive unit to be generated by the pump unit (2) (1) (4) corresponds to the pretension of the determined the screw, the drive unit to be generated by the pump unit (2) ( 1) Set the pressure of the pressure valve (4) ,
Control unit (8), determining whether the tool to perform at least one of the clamping and relaxation of the screw fastening portion (7) is available,
A method comprising activating said drive unit (1).   The method according to claim 15, wherein the pretension of the screw is a force required to tighten and / or relax a screw fastening portion.

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